The Hindu : Tamil Nadu / Chennai News : Centre sanctions Rs. 195 crore for State

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Monday, Dec 04, 2006
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Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu - Chennai

Centre sanctions Rs. 195 crore for State

T. Ramakrishnan

For infrastructure improvement under JNNURM

CHENNAI: The Central Government has sanctioned Rs. 195 crore for Tamil Nadu under the Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission (JNNURM) for infrastructure improvement in Chennai, according to Transport Minister K.N. Nehru.

"We will use the [annual] allotment for the improvement of our bus terminals and workshops," Mr. Nehru told The Hindu after participating at a function where Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi commissioned 242 vehicles to the fleet of the State Transport Undertakings on Island Grounds on Sunday.

Noting that the Central authorities did not permit now the replacement of vehicles under the mission, the Minister said the funds were being given only for upgrading infrastructure such as bus terminals and workshops. The Chief Minister would write a letter soon to the Centre to relax this condition in respect of Tamil Nadu.

He said Maharashtra and Karnataka had obtained funds as the first tranche of financial assistance for improvement under the JNNURM.

As for the status of the State's proposal, Mr. Nehru said the State sought an assistance package of Rs.1,300 crore for improvement of transport infrastructure in Chennai. Following the Centre's advice, the State Government approached one of the empanelled consultants for the preparation of a detailed report. The report would be finalised in a couple of weeks. "Our plan is to increase the present fleet strength of Metropolitan Transport Corporation from 2,700 to 4,000." [The Minister pointed out that only 2,400 vehicles were currently under operation].

This year, the Government's plan was to introduce 2,230 buses in the place of worn-out vehicles. Already, 150 buses were inducted. Of the new vehicles, 368 would be "ultra deluxe buses," 100 vestibule vehicles and 300 buses having low floors, Mr. Nehru added.

Of the 242 new vehicles commissioned on Sunday, 100 have been set apart for the MTC; three for State Express Transport Corporation; 19 for the State Transport Corporation - Salem; 20 for the State Transport Corporation - Coimbatore; 50 for the State Transport Corporation - Kumbakonam; 40 for the State Transport Corporation - Madurai and 10 for the State Transport Corporation - Villupuram.

The Chief Minister also launched "Yellow Line" and "Blue Line" deluxe services for Chennai.

Two buses, to be operated experimentally on the route 21-G (Broadway-Tambaram), have an automatic door-closing system.

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